Convergence on wheels

Asteroid in-car entertainment and navigation

Another shining example of how multiple technologies are converging into a single highly desirable consumer product.  This time it's the Android-powered Asteroid - basically a hybrid GPS, entertainment system accessed via a tablet type interface.

The Parrot Asteroid brings web streaming services like Spotify direct from your car dashboard.

Imagine if such a device had appeared a few years ago.  What would we have made of it?  I think the reason that we accept these multi-function devices so readily today is that we are already acquainted with what purpose each application serves, since we've seen them before in dedicated, standalone devices.  Armed with the prior knowledge we can accept this innovative forward step without too much hesitation.

The 2011 incarnation was less exciting

That's an important factor in understanding why such technology can march on into the welcoming grasp of tech-hungry consumers.  Once we would have been suspicious when confronted with new technology but now we happily embrace it.  I guess it helps that the market price is generally reasonable but it's really our eagerness to have our portable always on, net-connected gadgets that makes this kind of accelerated adoption a reality.

See the review for more information . . .

Asteroid (NZ Herald)

Parrot Asteroid article (South Africa)